Western Sydney Wanderers’ Asian Champions League hopes are in serious doubt after a 3-1 loss at the hands of Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of their round-of-16 tie on Wednesday night.
Two second half goals to Sanfrecce striker Nakoi Ishihara gave the reigning J-League champions a comfortable lead, until a controversial penalty awarded for a foul on Wanderers’ front-man Tomi Juric was converted to provide Western Sydney with a crucial away goal.
But Sanfrecce struck again in stoppage time, as a Kosei Shibasaki free kick flew meekly through the Wanderers’ defence and past keeper Ante Covic.
The late goal was a cruel blow for the Wanderers, who were buoyed by Juric’s away goal.
Juric himself was deemed to be fouled right on the very edge of the penalty area, although replays suggest the contact was minimal, and perhaps occurred outside the box.
Regardless, the goal will provide the Wanderers a slight boost ahead of the return leg at Parramatta Stadium on the 14th of May, knowing a 2-0 result will ensure qualification for the quarter finals.
Wanderers defender Matthew Spiranovic, fresh from scoring his first A-League goal in the grand final loss to Brisbane Roar on Sunday, came close to finding the net in the opening half, as the visitors struggled for meaning for openings in front of goal.
But when Ishihara netted a quickfire brace, it appeared as if the tie was slipping away from the Wanderers.
Juric’s goal gave the visiting side confidence, but the Wanderers were unable to weather Sanfrecce’s final attacks to preserve the score-line ahead of a crucial return leg.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima – 3 (Naoki Ishihara 51′, 65′, Kosei 91′)
Western Sydney Wanderers – 1 (Juric 77)
Source: ABC